Irene Blankenstein

Irene Blankenstein, age 97, of Fredericksburg, formerly of Gerald, passed away early Friday afternoon, March 18, 2016 in Fredericksburg. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Irene was born July 31, 1918 in Ross, the daughter of Willie and Katie (Kramer) Otto. On October 18, 1938 she was united in marriage to Paul Wendt. Paul preceded her in death on February 11, 1982. On November 17, 1984 she was united in marriage to John Drews. John preceded her in death on September 11, 1995. Then on October 25, 1997 she was united in marriage to Herman Blankenstein. Herman also preceded her in death on August 3, 2005. Irene worked in the dietary department for Lakeview Elementary School of 7 years and for the Regis Retirement Center in Waco for over 20 years. She was a very faithful member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald, where she served on the Women's Guild as secretary and Treasurer. She enjoyed traveling overseas with her friends from other Christian churches, playing dominoes at birthday parties, cooking, canning, gardening, doing many crafts and quilting. The most cherished thing in her life was her family. Irene is also preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Dorothy Jupe and Wilhelmina Schroeder. Survivors include her children, Diana Sander and husband Lloyd of Evansville, Indiana and Paul Wendt and wife Christi of Fredericksburg; grandsons, Eric Wendt and Chris Wendt; step-children, Daniel Drews and wife Linda, Joyce Hartford, Henry Blankenstein and wife Dianne, Letha Harmann and husband Rob and Robert Blankenstein and wife Rebecca; 15 step grandchildren; 10 step great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Gerald.